Ristorante L’Antipasto

One of the worst take out Italian ever! The Cesar was filled with brown goowee romain and the pasta was mediocre at best! I threw everything in the garbage! A nice $ 29 wasted!

Grilled lamb chops were perfect as was the risotto and mixed grilled fish. The antipasti bar has a nice selection of appetitizers. White table clothes with good ambience and service. I will be back.

Best Italian we’ve had at a restaurant in a very long time! My husband is Italian and even he was impressed! The owner greets you at the door, seats you and checks on you regularly… He even shook our hands at the door before we left! We had two glasses of wine (very generous glass!), antipasto buffet, one gnocchi an one penne with sausage (which were both delicious!) followed by espresso and biscotti… The bill? $ 87!!! I was astounded at the quantity and quality of food we had gotten for such a reasonable price! I wouldn’t recommend bringing young children though as service and food is served at a very leisurely pace — just like all restaurants in Italy… We rather enjoyed not being rushed as most restaurants usually do. I would highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely return!

Ever since going to Italy my taste buds have been ruined. Italian restaurants across the city disappoint me often with over-​sauced and over-​cheesed pasta. Even tiramisu has left me wishing I’d stayed in Florence… BUT, I am happy to say L’Antipasto Ristorante has restored my faith and brought happiness to my taste buds.
The antipasto bar was full if goodies including marinated seafood and a delicious caprese salad.
Then we had the pasta in rabbit sauce. This was a risk recommended by our server who convinced us to make an adventure of the evening. I was slightly apprehensive, however, any doubts faded upon first bite. The sauce was smooth and not acidic nor tart as I have found in many other places. There were fine pieces of rabbit meat that melted in my mouth. I cleaned up my plate with a piece of bread at the suggestion of our server.
It is important to note the service here is friendly and family-​like. They are helpful with suggestions and eager to ensure your meal is excellent.
Next up was the Pollo Romanos — Roman Chicken. At first when I cut it I was worried the chicken would be dry. But it turns out, the chicken was moist, flavourful and had a good texture. Nothing like the flavourless and loose GMO chicken that is often served these days. Nor was it powdery and dry, as I’ve also often encountered. It turns out L’Antipasto orders their chicken and rabbit directly from local farms. It was evident that attention had been paid to the source and quality of their ingredients.
Note: We also ordered a fish special that fell short of our expectations, but I did not deduct any ratings because they took it back graciously with apologies. They did not make us feel bad for our honesty! THAT is service!
Although I had initially been full after the antipasto, every bite was so good I proceeded to indulge, and could’t hold back on dessert.
To fully appreciate why I am giving this place such a high rating, you have to understand the context which is that of many disappointments whenever I’ve tried to find authentic Italian food. Tiramisu is always a good gage for me — and I have to say it was THE BEST TIRAMISU I’ve had in Toronto. Some places change up the ingredients or hold back on the cheese and/​or alcohol. NOT here. The TIRAMISU was moist, drenched in yummy coffee liquere and true mascarpone flavour. It went perfectly with smooth lattes that had such a wonderful froth on top. Sandro really knows how to make a foam with fine bubbles that have a lasting power. We also had chocolate profiteroles that were heavenly.
I can’t wait to go back to try their gnocci!
In conclusion, L’Antipasto Ristorante is the place to go for authentic home-​style Italian cooking. It’s not high end designer frou frou cooking. Rather it’s down to earth with quality ingredients. You can tell everyone working there is passionate about life and the food they serve.
I came here with a group-​buying deal and I am so glad to have discovered such a treasure. Since I’ve never heard of them, I was surprised to find out they’ve already been open for 7 years now. It’s truly a hidden gem and I will most definitely return.